Circuit breaker opening and reclosing system



31 f7 I] 1 1 19 I I 21 73' I i 1! 11 l b n J7 67 v WITNESS s: -INVENTOR WW Pa a! Dix/99W Nov. 4-, 1941. P. DUFFING 2,261,721

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND RECLOSING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 19, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi z.

ATTORNE 17 3'1 25 1 v 19 {J I. I i Z1 I 9 B! D 6,0 Jar If! z! 87 WITNESSES: INYENTOR 627% p z pm? Nov. 4, 1941 DUFFlNG I 2,261,721 K CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND RECLQSING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 19, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 q ATTOR Y Nov. 4, 1941. DUFFING 2,261,721

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND RECLOSING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 19, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 0- --o 0-4 I 11? 6'! 1 g 45 111 T w WITNESSES: INVENTOR 4 Pad fizz/7217f m 31 B R/ gATTORNEY P. DUFFING Nov. 4, 1941.

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND RECLOSING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 19, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR fizz/Z Barfly WITNESSES: 207% 9a. /b/Q Nov. 4, 1941.

P. DUFFING 2,261,721

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND RECLOSING SYSTEM WITNESSES: 6. 07%.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 19, 1939 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 4, 1941 CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING AND BECLOS- ING SYSTEM Paul Dufling, Beriin-Siemensstadt, Germany, assigncr to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 19, 1939, Serial No. 310,025 In Germany November 28, 1938 26 Claims.

The invention relates to circuit breakers in general and more particularly to operating mechanisms for opening and reclosing a circuit breaker.

In high voltage electrical systems or networks a very large percentage of disturbances or faults result from a short circuit orground connection formed by an air arc. Disturbances of this type are completely cleared in most cases immediately after extinction of the arc by interruption of the circuit. In order to prevent loss of synchronism in the system in clearing such faults, it is necessary to interrupt and immediately reclose the circuit as quickly as possible. Thus, for example, in a 200 kv. line it has been found necessary to interrupt and reclose the circuit within a time interval of not more than one half a second after the manifestation of the fault. Circuit breakers of which I am aware are not capable of obtaining such high speed interruption and reclosing of the circuit because they have a characteristic time up to interruption of the circuit alone of the order of one half of a second.

Accordingly an object of the invention is the provision of an improved circuit breaker which is operable to interrupt and immediately reclose the circuit within the short time interval required to prevent loss of synchronism in the system.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker mechanism which is operable to effect a quick interruption and instantaneous reclosure of the circuit within a relatively short total time interval.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker and operating mechanism which is operable upon the occurrence of a fault condition to interrupt and instantaneously reclose the circuit within a total time interval of a half a second or less measured from the manifestation of the fault.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker and operating mechanism therefor which is operable in response to predetermined conditions to cause the moving contact member to be quickly moved to the full open position free of the driving mechanism, and instantaneously returned to the closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker mechanism which is operable to cause the moving contact member to quickly move to full open position free of the driving mechanism and instantaneously return to the closed position, both of the above takin; place upon opening movement and return of th. driving mechanism through only a fraction 0:! its full travel distance.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a circuit breaker mechanism which is operable to release the moving contact membe from the driving mechanism to cause interrup tion of the circuit and to cause immediate re closure of the contact member, and which i also operable to positively hold the moving con tact member in either its open or closed position Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker mechanism as previously described which is simple, reliable in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following detailed description of several embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a circuit breaker mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a modification oi the circuit breaker mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a further modi' fication of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the circuit breaker mechanism shown in Fig 3 showing the moving contact member in the full open position and the driving mechanism in the partly open position where its movement is reversed to reciose the breaker, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a modified construction of the. apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the circuit breaker which is shown schematically comprises a stationary contact I, and a cooperating movable contact member 9 in the form of a conducting bar or rod which is mounted and guided on a support H for vertical movement into and out of engagement with the stationary contact I. The contact member 9 has a slotted crosshead I3 secured to its upper end which is connected to the free end of a. lever IS. The lever I5 is pivoted on a fixed pivot l1 and carries a pin H! which engages in the slot of the crosshead l3.

The movable contact member 9 is adapted to be moved to open and to closed positions for normal switching operations by a driving means means comprising an op s operating lever 23. The voted on the fixed pivot to switching lever by pivoted at 2! on an ofiset lever 23. The latch 25 is lever and is also provided with the switching a tail portion 35 which is adapted to be engaged and moved by "pivoted trip lever 31 for eilecting automatic actuation of the breaker. The latch 25 is biased to latching position by a light spring 39 carried by the operating lever 23. The 011- set extension 29 of the operating lever 29 is also provided with a lateral projection 4| which engages the lower edge of the switching lever l5. It will thus be seen that the switching lever is held between the latch 25 and the projection 4|, the latch 25 serving to hold the contact member in closed position when the operating rod 2| is in closed position, and the projection 4 serving to hold the contact member in open position when the operating rod 2| is in open position. The operating lever 23 is pivotally connected by a pin and slot connection 43 to the upper end or the operating rod 2| so as to be moved directly by the operating rod.

The operating rod 2| is releasably held in the closed position shown by an electromagnetically controlled latch 45, and is adaptedto be moved downwardly to open position, upon release of the latch 45, by means of a spring 41 which is disposed between a fixed support 46 and a collar 48 secured to the operating rod 2|. A solenoid 49 is provided for moving the operating rod upwardly to closed position. The solenoid comprises a movable core 5| secured to the lower end of the operating rod, and an energizing winding 53 which is electrically connected to source of electrical energy represented by the supply lines 55-56. A manually controlled switch 51 is interposed in series with the winding 53. The switch 51 is adapted to be closed to effect energization of the solenoid 49 and closing 01' the circuit breaker contacts. An electromagnet 59 for operating the holding latch 45 is also connected to the supply lines 55-55, and energization of the electromagnet 59 is controlled by a manual switch 6| connected in series circuit with the winding of the electromagnet 59.

The tripping lever 31 for releasing the breaker latch 25 is adapted to be moved to tripped position to cause automatic operation of the breaker upoh the occurrence of a predetermined overload or a short circuit on the line or circuit 63 controlled by the breaker. For this purpose there is provided an electromagnetic trip device comprising a trip plunger 65 connected to the trip lever 31 and a trip coil 61 energized in response to the current in the line 63 by a suitable current transformer 69.

The movable contact member 9 is adapted to be quickly moved to open circuit position by a circuit opening or accelerating spring 1| which encircles the contact member and is disposed in compression between the support H and the crosshead l3. When the latch 25 is released by the trip device 51, the accelerating spring 1| quickly moves the contact member 9 upwardly F to open position free of the driving and force transferring means 2|-23, these parts remaining in the closed position shown. During the latter portion of the circuit opening movement the crosshead I3 on the contact member 9 engages and moves a plunger 13 upwardly-compressing acircuit closing or reflecting spring 15 which is disposed about the plunger 13 between a fixed support 15 and the head or the plunger. When the movable contact member 9 reaches open p0- sitlon the energy stored in the reflecting spring 15 is sufficient to instantaneously reverse the direction of movement or the contact member 9, and the spring throws the contact member back to closed position. As the contact member approaches closed position the latch pin 13 on the switching lever I5. clears the latch nose II and reengages under the latch nose so that the contact member is relatched in closed position. The contact member 9 and switching lever l5 are constructed to have a relatively light mass, and the strength of the springs II and II are selected so that these parts form an oscillating system. The kinetic energy given to the contact member 9 by the reflecting spring 15 aided by the force of gravity is sufllcient to cause the contact member to be moved to closed position against the bias of the circuit opening spring H and to be relatched by the latch 25. Only a very small force is required to cause the latch pin 92 to clear the latch 25. It will thus be seen that when an overload or short circuit occurs on the line 59, the trip device 61 effects release oi the contact member 9 from the driving and force transferring parts which have a relatively heavy mass, and the contact member is quickly moved to open position by the spring II and instantaneously reclosed by the spring 15 so that the circuit is quickly interrupted and instantaneously reclosed. During this automatic operation the operating rod 2| and the operating lever 23 remain in closed position, held in such position by the latch 45. Since the contact member 9 and switching lever l5 have a relatively light mass and are oscillated at high speed by the actuating springs TI and 15 completely free or the heavier driving means, the interruption and instantaneous reclosure of the circuit is accomplished in a suiliciently short time interval to prevent loss of synchronism of the apparatus in the controlled circuit or system.

To effect normal opening of the circuit breaker, the switch 6| is manually closed to cause energization of the latch controlling electromagnet 59. The latch 45 is released by the electromagnet 59, and the operating rod 2| is moved downwardly to open position bythe spring 41 causing movement of the contact member 9 and switch lever l5, which are coupled to the operating rod, to open circuit position. The projection 4i of the operating lever serves to p0sitively hold the switch lever l5 in open position against the tension of the closing spring I5 since the combined force of the springs 1| and 41 is greater than that of the spring 15.

To effect normal closing of the circuit breaker, the switch 51 is manually closed to energize the closing solenoid 49 which moves the operating rod 2| and lever 23 upwardly to closed position. Since the contact member 9 and switch lever I5 are coupled to the operating lever by the latch 25, this movement causes the contact member to be moved downwardly to closed position. When the operating rod 2| arrives at its closed position it is reengaged and held by the'latch 45.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2. In this figure the parts which are of identical construction to those shown in Fig. 1 and described in connection therewith are identifled by the same reference characters. In this embodiment more positive relatching of the switching lever I to the operating lever 23 is effected by causing the operating rod 2! and lever 23 to be automatically moved toward open position through only a fraction of their full travel and to be immediately returned to closed position, so that the latch 25 is moved first in an opening direction to meet the switching lever as the switching lever is being moved downwardly toward closed position by the spring 15. This insures positive relatching of the switching lever to the operatin lever. The arrangement also insures positive return of the contact member to closed position by the operating rod 2I and lever 23 The required short time interval of interruption and reclosure is still obtained in this embodiment since the heavier masses of the driving parts need be returned to closed position only from a fraction of their full travel so that the total switching time required for the movement of the contact member to full open position and return thereof to closed position is substantially shortened over the time which would be required if the driving parts had to be moved to full open position and returned to closed position. The operation is also accomplished without substantial mechanical stressing of the switching and driving parts.

Re erring to Fig. 2 of the drawings the tripping lever 31 is connected to the holding latch 45 by a pin and slot connection 11 which causes the latch 45 to be released at the same time the latch is released during automatic operation, and yet which permits the latch 45 to be released by its electromagnet 59 independently of the latch 25, i. e., without releasing the latch 25, for normal opening of the breaker.

The electrical control for the circuit breaker comprises the supply lines 19 and BI which are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown). A manually operable selector switch 83 is connected to the supply line 19, and the blade of this switch is movable from a neutral position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 into engagement with its lower contact 85 to set the apparatus for automatic reclosing operation, The blade of the switch 83 is also movable into engagement with its upper contact 81 to effect energization of the closing solenoid 49 for normally closing the breaker. in Fig. 2 in full lines in the automatic reclosing position in engagement with its contact 85. The elcctromagnet 59 for releasing the holding latch 45 is disposed in a circuit 89 which is connected across the supply lines 19 and BI and this branch circuit 89 has a normally open manual switch 9| in series therein which is adapted to be closed to effect normal opening of the circuit breaker by the release of the latch 45 only. Normal opening of the breaker, however, can be effected only when the selector switch 03 is in its neutral position.

A circuit for the closing solenoid 49 extends from the lower contact 85 of the selector switch 83 through a conductor 93 through the main contacts 95 of a. closing relay 91, a conductor 99, solenoid coil 53 and through an auxiliary switch II, which is open only when the breaker is closed, and thence to the supply line 8I. The winding I05 of the closing relay 91 is connected in a circuit I01 which is connected at one end to the conductor 93 and at its other end to the solenoid side of the auxiliary switch I0l. An auxiliary switch I 09 is connected in series in the branch circuit I01, and this switch is adapted to be closed at a The switch 83 is shown predetermined point in the downward or opening movement of the operating rod 2I, by a pro- Jection II I of the operating rod engaging and depressing a spring arm connected to the switch I09, when the operating rod has moved through only a fraction of its full opening throw.

The closing of the auxiliary switch I09 causes the relay 9? to be energized and close its main contact 95, completing an energizing circuit -lor the closing solenoid 49. The auxiliary switch IOI of this energizing circuit is closed upon the initial downward movement of the operating rod H. The closing relay 91 is provided with auxiliary contacts I I 3 Which are closed simultaneously with the main contacts to complete a locking circuit H5 for the coil of the relay I05 upon closing of the contacts 95 and H3. The locking circuit II5 maintains the relay 9'l energized until the operating rod 2! has been returned to closed position and the auxiliary switch IOI has opened thereby.

The operation of the circuit breaker is briefly as follows: When the selector switch 83 is set in engagement with its contact 85, and an overload or short circuit occurs on the main line 63 controlled by the breaker, the trip device 61 pulls its plunger 65 downwardly to effect simultaneous release of the breaker latch 25 and the holding latch 45. The. release of the latch 25 uncouples the movable contact member 9 from the driving parts and the circuit opening spring 1I quickly moves the contact member to open position to eil'ect interruption of the circuit. As soon as the contact member 9 reaches open position, it is immediately thrown back toward closed position by the reflecting spring 15. At the same time the operating rod 2I, having been released by the latch 45, is moved downwardly toward open position by the spring 41 causing clockwise movement of the operating lever 23, so that the breaker latch 25 moves upwardly to meet the switching lever I5 as the lever is being moved downwardly toward closed position. This movement causes positive relatching of the switching lever I5 with the operating lever 23. As soon as the operating rod 2i has been moved through a fraction of its full opening throw, the projection III thereon engages and closes the auxiliary switch I09. The closing of the switch I09 causes the closing relay 91 to complete the energizing circuit for the closing solenoid 49 and at the same time complete its locking circuit II5. This energizing circuit for the solenoid 49 extends from the supply line 19 through switch 83, conductor 93, relay contacts 95, conductor 99, energizing winding 53 of the solenoid, the auxiliary contacts IOI (which are now closed) to the opposite supply line 81. The locking circuit which is also completed at this time extends from the supply line.19 through the selector switch 83, contact 85, conductor 93 through the auxiliary contacts I I3 of the relay I05, conductor II 5 through the winding of the relay 91, conductor I01 and auxiliary switch IM to the opposite supply conductor 8|. The energization of the closing solenoid 49 causes the operating rod 2I to be immediately returned to closed position from the fraction of its travel throw, and since the switch lever I5 has been relatched to the operating lever 23, the reclosing movement of the operating rod 2I causes positive reclosing of the contact member 9.

It will thus be seen that upon automatic oper ation of the breakenthe movable contact member 9 is quickly moved to full open position entirely free of the driving mechanism and is instantaneously reclosed, both movements taking place upon movement return of the operating rod through only a small fraction of its full throw. uick interruption and instantaneous reclosure of the circuit is obtained since the heavy driving parts comprising the operating rod 2| and lever E13 need be returned to closed position from only a portion of the total opening throw thereof, so that the total switching time is thus materially reduced over that which would be required if the driving parts had to be moved to full open position and returned to closed position.

To effect normal opening 01 the circuit breaker, the selector switch 83 is moved to the neutral position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the switch 9| is closed to effect energization of the latch electromagnet 59. The energization of the latch electromagnet 59 withdraws the latch 45 from its holding engagement with the operating rod 2|, and the operating rod is moved downwardly by the spring 41 this time through its full opening travel. This downward movement of the operating rod 2| causes movement of the operating lever 23 and the switch lever I5 and the movable contact lever 9 to open circuit position, the switch lever I5 remaining latched to the operating lever 23 by the latch 25 since the movement of the holding latch 45 by its operating electromagnet 59 does not effect release of the breaker latch 25.

To effect normal closing of the circuit the selector switch 83 is moved from its neutral position into engagement with its contact 91. This completes an energizing circuit for the solenoid 49 extending from the supply conductor 19 through the switch 83, contact 81, a conductor ||1, conductor 99, winding 53 of the solenoid and through the auxiliary switch IIII to the opposite supply conductor 8|. The energization of the solenoid 49 moves the operating rod 2| upwardly to closed position, effecting movement of the contact member 9 and switch lever I5 to closed position since these elements are latched to the operating lever 23 by the latch 25. As soon as the operating rod arrives at closed position, the projection III opens the auxiliary switch IIII to deenergize the closing solenoid.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this embodiment the elements which have a similar construction and function to those shown in Fig. 2, and described in connection therewith, are indicated by the same reference characters. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention the breaker latch and its trip device are eliminated and the switching lever l5 and movable contact member 9 are coupled to the operating lever 2| by means of a lever system. Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the upper end of the operating rod 2| is connected by a pin and slot connection 43 to one end of an operating lever I2| which is pivoted on the fixed pivot I1 of the switching lever I5. The operating lever |2| is provided with an extending arm I23 which has a recess therein for engaging the underside of a pin 33 carried by the switching lever I5. A second actuating lever I25 having the form of a bell crank lever is pivoted on the fixed pivot I1 and this lever is provided with an arm I21 which has a recess for engaging the upper side of the pin 33 of the switching lever I5. The other arm I29 of the lever I25 is connected by a link |3| to the free end of a lever I33. The lever I33 is pivoted on a fixed pivot I35 and it also has its free end connected by a link I31 to a pin I39 carried by the operating lever |2I intermediate the pivot I1 and the end of the lever. The link I3I is pivotally connected at one end to thefree end of the arm I29 of the actuating lever I25 by a pivot pin III, and is pivotally connected at its other end to the free end of the lever I33 by pivot pin I53. The pin I53 also pivotally connects the lower end of the connecting link I31 to the free end of the lever I33. The actuating lever I25 is thus positively connected to the operating lever |2| for movement thereby, and the arrangement of the lever I33 and connecting links |3| and I31 cause the actuating lever I25 to be moved at a multiplied speed upon movement of the operating lever |2| through only a fraction of its throw. In the construction shown the actuating lever I25 is moved at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever I2| and operating rod 2| during the movement of the operating rod through the fractional part of its travel throw. When the operating rod 2| is moved downwardly toward open position through a fractional part of its full throw, the actuating lever I25 is moved clockwise at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever I2I to the full open position as shown in Fig. 4, thus effecting quick release or uncoupling of the switching lever l5 and movable contact member 9 from the operating rod 2| and operating lever |2|, so that the movable contact member is quickly moved by the spring H to full open position. This position of the parts is shown in Fig. 4. If the operating rod 2| is returned to closed position shown in Fig. 3 from the fractional part of its throw shown in Fig. 4, the actuating lever I25 is moved in a counterclockwise direction at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever I2I, from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the closed position shown in Fig. 3. The closing spring 15 initiates closing movement of the movable contact member 9 and the actuating lever I25 Insures positive closing of the movable contact member 9. The arrangement of the lever I33 and connecting links I31 and I3| are also such that when the operating rod 2| is moved downwardly to its full open position from the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4 the actuating lever I25 remains substantially in open position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. During this movement, however, the extending arm I23 of the operating lever |2I moves to the full open position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, so that the movable contact member 9 and switching lever I5 are positively held in open position against the force exerted by the closing spring 15. It will thus be seen that the switching lever I5 and movable contact member 9 are positively held in both the closed and open circuit positions thereof by the lever arms I21 and I23, respectively. In the intermediate position of the operating rod 2| and lever I2I, the movable contact member 9 and switching lever I5 have a freedom of movement which is limited only by the position of the lever arm I23 and the actuating lever arm I21 since the switching lever is disposed between these two lever arms. This freedom of movement and the arrangement of the circuit opening spring 1| and reflecting spring 15 are utilized for providing a quick free movement of the movable contact member 9.

The electrical control for the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 3 is substantially identical to the electrical control shown in Fig. 2 except that the trip device 51 has been omitted since there is no breaker latch to be released, and the current transformer 69 is connected directly to the electromagnet 59 for releasing the latch 45 which restrains the operating rod in closed position. Since the elements are identical with the exceptions mentioned above, the same reference characters have been used to designate the corresponding elements.

The operation of the breaker shown in Fig. 3 is briefly as follows: When the selector switch l3 is closed upon its contact 85, and an overload or short circuit occurs in the main line or circuit 63 controlled by the breaker, the electromagnet 59 is energized a sufficient amount to withdraw the latch 45 from its holding engagement with the operating rod 2| to eifect release of the operating rod. The operating rod 2| is moved downwardly toward open position by its biasing spring 41 but only through a fraction of its travel throw. During this downward movement of the operating rod 2| the actuating lever I25 is moved at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever I2I to its full open position as shown in Fig. 4, and the movable contact member 9 and switching lever I being thus released or uncoupled from the driving parts are quickly moved to full open position by the circuit opening spring H to effect a quick interruption of the circuit. When the movable contact member 9 reaches full open position, the energy stored in the circuit closing spring reverses the direction of movement of the contact member 9 and gives it a circuit closing movement. In the meantime, the operating rod 2| has been moved through a fraction of its opening travel and has effected closing of the auxiliary switch I09, by the projection III of the operating rod. The closing of the auxiliary switch I09 completes an energizing circuit for the closing relay 91 causing the closing relay to close its contacts 95 and H3. The closure of the relay contacts 95 completes an energizing circuit for energizing the closing solenoid 49 causing the closing solenoid 49 to immediately return the operating rod 2| upwardly to closed position. The relay contacts II3 complete a locking circuit II5 to maintain the relay 91 closed, and the closing solenoid 49 energized until the operating rod 2| reaches closed position. When the operating rod 2| reaches closed position the projection II I thereof has eifected opening of the auxiliary switch IDI to deenergize the closing solenoid 49 and the closing relay 91, and the operating rod is reengaged and held by the latch 45. During the upward closing movement of the operating rod 2| from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the actuating lever I25 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to the closed position at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever I2I thus insuring positive and complete closing of the contact member 9. The movable contact 9 is thus quickly moved to full open position and instantaneously reclosed upon movement and return of the operating rod 2| through only a fraction of its full throw so that the circuit is quickly interrupted and instantaneously reclosed within a total time interval which is considerably less than would be required if the operating rod 2| were moved to full open position and immediately returned to closed position.

To efiect normal opening of the circuit breaker, the selector switch 83 is moved to the neutral position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, and the manual trip switch 9| is closed to eiIect energization of the electromagnet 59. The electromagnet 59 effects release or the operating rod 2|, and the operating rod is moved downwardly by the spring 41 to the full open position. During th first part of the downward movement of the operating rod 2|, the actuating lever I25 is moved to full open position at a multiplied speed, allowing the contact member. 9 to be moved to full open position by its circuit opening spring 1I. During the continued downward movement of the operating rod 2| the actuating lever I25 remains substantially in open position and the arm I23 of the operating lever continues to move upwardly to engage the pin 33 on the switching lever I5 for holding the movable contact member 9 and switching lever I5 in full open position. The operating rod 2I is caused to move to full open position because of the fact that the selector switch 83 is in neutral position and thus prevents energization of the closing relay 91.

To effect normal closing of the circuit breaker the selector switch 83 is moved into engagement with its upper contact 81 completing an energizing circuit for the solenoid 49. This circuit extends from the supply conductor 19 through the selector switch 83 and its contact 81, conductor II1, coil 53 of the solenoid, and auxiliary switch IIII (which is closed) to the opposite supply conductor III. The energization of the closing solenoid causes upward movement of the operating rod 2| from the full open position to the closed position shown in Fig. 3. During the latter portion of this closing movement the actuating lever I25 is moved at multiplied speed from its open position to its closed position shown in Fig. 3 effecting closing of the movable contact member 9.

A spring I45 may be provided which is connected at one end to the arm I 23 of the operating lever I2I and at its other end to the switching lever I5. This spring I45 is stressed upon opening movement of the movable contact member 9 and serves to take up the energy of motion of the movable contact member and to reverse the direction of movement thereof at the end of its circuit opening movement so that no impacts of the heavy and quickly moved masses arise.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 5. In this figure the electrical control, and the holding latch 45, electromagnet 59, and closing solenoid 49 have not been shown since they are the same as the corresponding elements shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment of the invention a gear transfer drive is used in place of the lever transfer drive shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 5, the operating lever I2I which is pivoted on the fixed pivot I1 has a gear I41 secured thereto for movement about the fixed pivot I1. The gear I41 meshes with, and drives a controlling gear I49 which is rotatably mounted about a fixed pivot I5I. A larger gear segment I53 is rigidly secured to the gear I49 for movement therewith and this gear segment is provided with gear teeth I for a portion of its periphery which are adapted to drive a segmental gear I51 rigidly secured to the actuating lever I21. The segmental gear I51 and actuating lever I21 are rotatably mounted on the fixed pivot I1 and are rotatable relative to the main gear I41. The ratio of the segmental gears I53 and I51 are selected to provide a multiplied speed of movement of the actuating lever arm I21 upon movement of the operating rod 2|. In the embodiment shown, the ratio of the segmental gears is such as to cause the actuating lever arm I21 to be moved at approximately twice the speed of the operating lever-III. The gears I41 and I49 are of equal size.

The general operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, and described in connection therewith. When the apparatus is set for automatic reclosing operation, and an overload or short circuit occurs, the operating rod 2I is moved downwardly by the spring 41 through only a fraction of its full travel and immediately returned to closed position. During the fractional downward movement of the operating rod 2I, the operating lever I2I is moved clockwise about the pivot axis I1, causing the gear I41 to drive the gear I49 and the segmental gear I53 which is rigid with the gear I48. The segmental gear I53, in turn, drives the segmental gear I51 and actuating lever arm I21 at multiplied speed to full open position causing the movable contact member to be moved to full open position by its spring 1I free of the driving parts. During the immediate return movement of the operating rod 2i to its closed position from the fractional part of its travel, the gears operate to cause movement of the actuating lever arm I21 from its open position to its closed position, also at a multiplied speed, to effect reclosing of the movable contact member 9.

During a normal circuit opening operation the operating rod 2i is moved downwardly to the full open position to cause movement of the movable contact member to open position. During the first part of this movement the actuating lever arm I21 is moved to iull open position, and during the remaining portion of the downward movement of the operating rod to its full open position the actuating lever arm I21 remains substantially in its open position, since the gear teeth I55 of the segmental gear I53 extend only over a portion of the periphery of the gear segment I53. The switching lever I5 and movable contact member 9 are positively held in both open and closed positions by the lever arms I23 and I21 the same as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

All of the embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings somewhat schematically. It will be understood that in actual practice the contact means are preferably mounted in either a metal or porcelain enclosure and immersed in a body of oil or insulating liquid therein. The operating mechanism or at least a part thereof may also be mounted within the circuit breaker enclosure, and the shape and proportions of the various parts altered in order to conform to the space requirements at hand.

While the invention has been shown in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes in the structural details thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is desired, therefore, that the language of the appended claims be given the broadest reasonable interpretation permissible in the light of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, operating mechanism comprising driving and force transferring means coupled to said contact member for eifecting movement of said contact member to open and to closed position, means operable to cause quick movement of said contact member to open position free of said driving and force transferring means, and reflecting spring means for immediately reversing the direction of movement of said contact member to move the same toward closed position.

2. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member of relatively light mass, operating mechanism comprising driving and force transferring parts of relatively heavy mass coupled to said contact member for effecting movement of said contact member to open and to closed position. means operable to eflect release of said contact member from said driving and force transferring parts to cause quick movement 01' said contact member to open position, and reflecting means for immediately reversing the direction of movement of said contact member to move the same toward closed position and for causing recoupling of said contact member with said driving and force transferring parts.

3. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means for biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means coupled to said contact member and movable to open and to closed position, spring means stressed upon movement of said contact member to open position for returning said contact member toward closed position, said operating mechanism being operable to eiiect release of said contact member from said driving means to cause movement of said contact member to open position by its bias, and operable at the same time to cause opening and immediate reclosing movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full travel distance to effect recoupling of said contact member with said driving means and positive closing of said contact member.

4. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism for eii'ecting movement of said contact member to open and to closed position comprising driving means movable to open and closed position, and means coupling said driving means to said contact member which is operable to uncouple said contact member from said driving means upon opening movement of said driving means.

5. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism for effecting movement of said contact member to open and to closed position comprising driving means movable to open and to closed position, means coupling said driving means to said contact member which is operable to uncouple said contact member from said driving means upon initiation of opening movement of said driving means and to permit free movement of said contact member to-full open position upon movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full opening movement.

6. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, operating mechanism comprising an actuating element movable to open and to closed position for causing opening or closing of said contact member, driving means for moving said actuating element and means connecting said driving means to said actuating element which causes said actuating element to be moved to open position upon movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full opening throw and for causing said actuating element to remain substantially in open position during the remainder of the opening throw of said driving means.

7. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, operating mechanism comprising an actuating element movable to open and to closed position for causing opening or closing of said contact member, driving means for moving said actuating element, and means connecting said driving means to said actuating element which causes said actuating element to be moved to open position upon movement of said driving means through only a fraction oiits full opening throw and to be positively returned to closed position upon reclosing movement oi! said driving means through said fractional part of its throw, said actuating element remaining substantially in its open position during continued opening movement of said driving means through its full opening throw.

8. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member biased to open position, operating mechanism comprising an actuating member movable to open and to closed position for causing movement of said contact member to open and to closed position, driving means for moving said actuatin member, means positively coupling said driving means to said actuating member for causing said actuating member to be moved to full open position at a considerably greater speed than said driving means upon movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its opening throw and to be returned to closed position at said greater speed than said driving means upon reclosing of said driving means through said fraction of its throw, and for causing said actuating member to remain substantially in open position upon continued opening movement of said driving means through the remainder of its opening throw after said actuating member has been moved to open position.

9. In a circuit breaker, a contact carrying member biased to open position, operating mechanism comprising an actuating member movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact member, driving means for moving said actuating member, said driving means having a connection with said actuating member which causes said actuating member to be moved to open position at high speed and instantaneously returned to closed position at high speed upon opening movement and immediate return of said driving means through only a fraction of its throw, and which causes said actuating member to remain substantially in its open position during the continued movement of said driving means from said fractional part of its throw through its whole opening throw, said contact carrying member being disposed between said actuating member and an element moved directly by said driving means so that said contact carrying member positively arrives at both its closed and its open position.

10. In a circuit breaker, a contact carrying member biased to open position, operating mechanism comprising an actuating member engageable with said contact carrying member and movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact carrying member, spring means stressed upon opening movement of said contact carrying member for reversing the direction of movement of said contact carrying member and giving it a circuit closing motion, driving means for moving said actuating member, said driving means having a positive connection with said actuating member which causes said actuating member to be moved at multiplied speed to open position and to instantaneously return at multiplied speed to closed position upon opening movement and immediate return of said driving means through only a fraction of its full throw, and which causes said actuating member to remain substantially in open position during the continued opening movementof said driving means from said fractional part of its throw on to its full open position,

11. In a circuit breaker, a contact carrying member, means biasing-said contact carrying member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising .an actuating member engageable with said contact carrying member and movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact carrying member, spring means stressed upon opening movement of said contact carrying member for reversing the direction of movement of said contact carrying member and giving it a circuit closing motion, driving means for moving said actuating member, said driving means having a positive connection with said actuating member which causes said actuating member to be moved at high speed to open position and to instantaneously return at high speed to closed position upon opening movement and immediate return of said driving means through only a fraction of its full throw, and which causes said actuating member to remain substantially in open position during the continued opening movement of said driving means from said fractional part of its throw on to its full open position, said contact carrying member being disposed between said actuating member and an element moved directly by said driving means so that said contact carrying member is positively held in either its open or its closed position.

12. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact carrying member, means biasing said contact carrying member toward ,open position, operating mechanism comprising an actuating member engageable with said contact carrying member and movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact carrying member, driving means for moving said actuating member having a connection with said actuating member which causes said actuating member to be moved at high speed to open position and instantaneously returned to closed position at high speed upon opening movement and immediate return of said driving means through only a fraction of its full throw, and

which causes said actuating member to remain substantially in open position during the continued opening movement of the driving means from said fractional part of its throw on to its full open position, and spring means connecting said contact carrying member to an element moved directly by said driving means for reversing the direction of movement of said contact carrying member at the open position thereof and for giving it a circuit closing movement.

13. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact carrying member, means biasing said contact carrying member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising a pivoted actuating lever engageable with said contact carrying member and movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact carrying member, driving means for moving said lever to remain substantially in open position during the movement of said driving means from said fractional part of its throw to its full open position, a second lever pivoted about the same axis as said actuating lever and connected to be moved directly by said driving means, said second lever being engageable with said contact .carrying member in the open and closed positions of said contact carrying member.

14. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact carrying member, means biasing said contact carrying member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising a pivoted actuating lever engageable with said contact carrying member and movable to open and to closed position for causing opening and closing of said contact carrying member, driving means for moving said actuating lever having a connection with said actuating lever which causes said actuating lever to be moved at multiplied speed to open position and immediately back to closed position upon opening movement and immediate return of said driving means through only a fractional part of its full throw, and which causes said actuating lever to remain substantially in open position during the movement of said driving means from said fractional part of its throw to its full open position, a second lever pivoted about the same axis as said actuating lever and connected to be moved directly by said driving means, said second lever being engageable with said contact carrying member in the open and closed positions of said contact carrying member, and spring means connecting said contact carrying member and said second lever for reversing the direction of movement of said contact carrying member and giving it a circuit closing motion when said driving means has been moved in an opening direction through said fractional part of its throw.

15. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means coupled to said contact member and movable to open and to closed position for normally opening and closing said contact member, said operating mechanism including means for causing said driving means to automatically move toward open position through only a fraction of its full opening throw and immediately return to closed position and effect a quick movement of said contact member to its full open position and an instantaneous reclosure thereof.

16. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving and force transferring means coupled to said contact member for effecting opening and closing of said contact member. means operable to cause movement of said contact member to open position by its bias uncoupled from said driving and force transferring means, and spring means stressed upon opening movement of said contact member for instantaneously reversing the direction of movement of said contact member to give it a circuit closing movement prior to recoupling of said contact member with said driving and force transferring means.

1'7. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means for biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism therefor comprising driving and force transferring elements coupled to said contact member for effecting opening and closing of said contact member, means operable to cause movement of said contact member to open position uncoupled from said driving and force transferring elements and means for instantaneously reversing the direction of movement of said contact member to give it a circuit closing motion prior to recoupling of said contact member with said driving and force transferring elements.

18. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, operating mechanism comprising driving and force transferring elements for efiecting movement of said contact member to open and to closed position, and means operable to cause said contact member to be moved quickly to open position free of said driving and force transferring elements and to be instantaneously returned to closed position and recoupled to said driving and force transferring elements.

19. In a circuit breaker, relatively movable contacts, operating mechanism for opening and closing said contacts, said mechanism being operable to cause full opening and instantaneous reclosing of said contacts upon opening and reclosing movement of said mechanism through only a fraction of its full normal stroke.

20. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, operating means movable through a full stroke to open or to closed position for normally effecting opening or closing of said contact member, said contact member being moved to full open position upon opening movement of said operating means through only a fraction of its full opening stroke, and said operating means being automatically movable toward open posi tion through said fraction of its full opening stroke and immediately returned to closed position for eiIecting full opening and instantaneous reclosing of said contact member.

21. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating means movable through a full stroke to open or to closed position for normally effecting opening and closing of said contact member, means coupling said operating means to said contact member for causing said contact member to move to full open position by its bias uncoupled from said operating means upon opening movement of said operating means through only a fraction of its full opening stroke and for causing positive closing of said contact member upon return of said operating means to closed position, said operating means being automatically movable toward open position through said fraction of its full opening stroke and immediately returned to closed position to effect full opening and instantaneous reclosing of said contact member.

22. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means movable to open and to closed position for normally effecting opening and closing of said contact member, and means connecting said driving means to said contact member which is operable upon opening movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full opening stroke to cause movement of said contact member to full open position by its bias free of said driving means, and which is operable to positively reclose said contact member upon return of said driving means to closed position.

23. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means movable to open and to closed position for normally effecting opening and closing of said contact member, said driving means being coupled to said contact member through a means which causes said contact member to be quickly moved to full open position and instantaneously reclosed upon opening and -reclosing movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full throw.

24. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means coupled to said contact member and movable to open and to closed position for normally opening and closing said contact member, said driving means also being automatically operable to move toward open position through a fraction of its full opening movement and immediately return to closed position to cause said contact member to be moved to full open position and immediately reclosed.

25. In a circuit breaker, a movable contact member, means biasing said contact member toward open position, operating mechanism comprising driving means for effecting opening and closing of said contact member, means coupling said driving means to said contact member comprising a pair of coaxially pivoted levers engageable with said contact member and movable to open and closed position by said driving means, one of said levers connected to be directly moved by said driving means and serving to hold said contact member inopen position when said driving means is in full open position, the second lever being effective to cause opening and closing of said contact member and having a connection with said driving means which causes said second lever to be moved to open position at a high speed upon opening movement of said driving means through only a fraction of its full opening throw to efiect movement of said contact member to full open position by its bias free of said driving means, and which causes said second lever to remain substantially in open position during continued opening movement of said driving means through its full opening throw.

26. A circuit breaker comprising relatively fixed contact means and. a cooperating movable contact member, operating means comprising spring means for biasing said movable contact member toward open position, means releasably holding said contact member in closed position, said means being releasable to cause opening movement of said contact member, and reflecting spring means which is stressed upon opening of said movable contact for at times immediately returning said contact member toward closed position,

PAUL DUF'FING. 

